Three Wings in The Hockey News annual lists issue
The annual lists issue of The Hockey News arrived in the mail Wednesday, and Red Wings center Stephen Weiss showed up in two places that pretty much sum up his first season in Detroit.
Weiss was second behind only Toronto's David Clarkson as this year's biggest free-agent busts and topped the list as the NHL's most overpaid player.
Right behind Weiss as the league's most overpaid player is Red Wings teammate Mikael Samuelsson.
According to The Hockey News, when you factor in Weiss's $4.9 million cap hit with the amount of games he played (26) and his total offensive output (two goals and two assists), he was paid $1.23 million a point.
Samuelsson's cap hit was $3 million, and his one goal and two assists in 26 games figures out to be $1 million a point.
In the case of Weiss, the magazine pointed out that he had a groin injury most of the season, which forced Detroit GM Ken Holland to acquire center David Legwand at the trade deadline.
The magazine also speculates that if the Wings retain Legwand -- not likely -- a healthy Weiss will see his role greatly diminished.
Gustav Nyquist was the only other current Detroit player to make any list. He finished fifth for the Cam Neely Award as the NHL's breakout player. Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop was the winner of the award.
As an organization, the Wings finished fourth overall in the NHL, behind Chicago, Boston and Pittsburgh, respectively.
Detroit's home red jersey was named the third-best in the league, with Montreal's home jersey rated No. 1 and the Blackhawks home jersey being No. 2.
The lists issue of the Hockey News is a wide-ranging edition with lists that are meaningful and trivial.
On the meaningful side, Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser was not among the Top 5 for the Teemu Selanne Award, as the NHL's best rookie.
Colorado's Nathan Mackinnon was named the best rookie, with Michigan natives Tory Krug (Livonia) finishing third and Jacob Trouba (Rochester) checking in at No. 4.
The biggest Red Wings slight belongs to captain Henrik Zetterberg.
Zetterberg was not among the Top 5 for the NHL's best facial hair. Former Wings assistant Paul MacLean made the list, but not Zetterberg!
Everybody who's ever seen Zetterberg's beard knows that it's one of the most impressive beards in the world, not just the NHL. The beard oozes charisma.
Shame on you Hockey News. I might be able to stomach Dekeyser's omission, but excluding Zetterberg's beard is a crime.
